EBACE: Textron Aviation unveils Cessna Citation Ascend

Unveiled at this week’s European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition (EBACE), the Citation Ascend is designed to bring a new cockpit, improved performance and a more luxurious cabin to the midsize business jet market. Attendees will enjoy access to a new Citation Ascend mock up debuting during the show. Currently under development, the aircraft is expected to enter into service in 2025. 

“Of the Citation family, there’s none more flown than the Citation 560XL series. With an 560XL aircraft taking off or landing every two minutes somewhere in the world, this aircraft will be part of the most successful business jet family,” said Ron Draper, president and CEO, Textron Aviation. “On behalf of our teams, we are proud to announce the latest innovation in the Citation family — the new Cessna Citation Ascend. We asked customers what they wanted in the next evolution of this iconic aircraft, and we believe the Citation Ascend will deliver.”

The Cessna Citation Ascend offers a state-of-the-art Garmin G5000 avionics featuring the latest software and hardware, including:

Autothrottle technology to reduce pilot workload and provide flight-envelope protection

Three large, 14-inch ultra high-resolution displays with split-screen capabilities

Standard dual flight management systems

Synthetic vision to render obstacles like mountains or terrain

Cockpit voice and data satellite transceiver to make satellite calls from the cockpit

New Garmin advanced weather detection and avoidance technology

Second Iridium data radio and CPDLC to support customers with more direct routing between North America and Europe (optional)

The Citation Ascend will give operators versatility and flexibility to accomplish any mission, now and in the future. Customers will also enjoy many of the luxuries found in the bestselling Citation Latitude and flagship Citation Longitude. This is made easier with a common Garmin cockpit, an important feature for customers who operate multiple Citations.

Efficiency and productivity

The Citation Ascend will offer Pratt & Whitney Canada PW545D engines designed to deliver better fuel efficiency, increased thrust and longer time-on-wing. The engines use new materials and technology — including a more efficient high-pressure compressor, an enhanced single stage high-pressure turbine module, and an upgraded exhaust mixer. The PW545D engines are also equipped with a Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC), enabling the new autothrottle technology and ensuring they operate at their maximum efficiency and with reduced pilot workload. 

A four-passenger range of 1,900 nm at high-speed cruise power (with an estimated maximum range of 2,100 nm) Cruise at 441 kts. And the ability to climb direct to 45,000 ft

Design improvements on the aircraft deliver the ability to carry a higher combination of payload and fuel load while retaining access to short runways. With four passengers at high-speed cruise power, customers will enjoy trips such as London City, UK, to Athens, Greece; Helsinki, Finland, to Porto, Portugal; or La Mole, France, to Prague, Czech Republic.

“The Cessna Citation Ascend builds upon more than 20 years of the 560XL series success in the market,” said Lannie O’Bannion, senior vice president, Global Sales and Flight Operations. “It’s designed to outperform and take our customers further in style.”

The Citation Ascend will include an unattended Honeywell RE100 [XL] Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) with self-management and added bleed leak detection. The unattended operation capability of the APU allows pilots to prepare for every flight efficiently, including heating and cooling the cabin with less fuel and less noise.

“The Citation Ascend will offer all the best features of the 560XL series, and elevate the experience for both pilots and passengers,” Tannahill added. “We designed the aircraft based on customer feedback and there’s nothing else like it.”